Why Spring is the Season for Lymphatic Renewal
Spring is the season of renewal, and that’s a great reason to make it the season for lymphatic renewal. The days get lighter, the air smells fresher, and suddenly, we crave greens and movement and fresh air. That’s not just in your head. That’s your body waking up, nudging you toward a natural reset. One of the systems that responds beautifully to this seasonal shift is your lymphatic system.
I’ve learned over the years—from books and my body—that spring is the perfect time to give your lymph a little extra love. As women over 50, our lymph can slow down with age, stress, and all the hormonal shifts that come with midlife. But here’s the good news: our lymph responds well to gentle, natural support.
So, why spring?
The lymphatic system is like your body’s drainage system—removing toxins, carrying immune cells, and keeping inflammation in check. And just like spring cleaning your home, your lymph loves a seasonal sweep-out.
But spring is more than just biology—it’s a season of hope and renewal.
The days grow longer, the light returns, and nature starts to stir into action. If you’ve found winter a tough season—as many of us do—spring offers a natural starting point and a fresh chapter.
As a gardener, I feel it in my bones. We step outside, we sow seeds, and we begin planting. It’s one of the most hopeful things we can do—and that act alone can lift the spirit, and as evidence grows, more social prescribing of gardening is happening.
Supporting your lymph in spring is a way of aligning with that seasonal energy. You’re clearing space in your body, just like you may be doing in the garden. You’re making room for light, for movement, for new growth.
The clues are around us; cleavers and dandelions and nettles are all springing up around us, so like a freshly picked tomato in the summer, this is their season and a reason for us to take note and add them to our diet now.
Here’s how I like to support my lymph in spring:
- Movement, especially walking—nothing fancy, just swinging those arms, breathing in the air, and letting my body stretch.
- Hydration with a twist—warm water with lemon first thing, or a gentle herbal tea like cleavers or nettle. These herbs are nature’s lymph movers.
- Eat whole, fresh foods—think bitter greens, seasonal veggies, and lighter meals that support your liver and digestion, which work with the lymph.
This season isn’t about harsh detoxes or pushing your body. It’s about supporting what’s already there—giving your inner landscape the same attention you give your garden beds. A little weeding, a little nurturing, and trust that growth will follow.
Another step is:
- Dry skin brushing—a simple ritual that takes five minutes before a shower and gets things flowing. Confession: I haven’t quite got there yet.
This spring, I’m also reaching for Lympherba
This is a capsule created many years ago by Herbs of Grace for women over 40. It contains a thoughtful mix of herbs, each chosen for its ability to support the lymphatic system and natural detox pathways gently.
Here’s a little more about each of the herbs it contains from a medical herbalist’s point of view:
- Cleavers (Galium aperine)
Often called nature’s lymphatic tonic, cleavers have a long tradition in herbal medicine for gently stimulating lymph flow and reducing swollen glands. It’s particularly helpful in spring when the body is ready to shift accumulated waste. Herbalists often recommend cleavers for water retention, skin health, and sluggish immunity.
- Echinacea root (Echinacea angustifolia)
More than just an immune booster, Echinacea has a stimulating effect on lymphatic drainage and white blood cell activity. It helps clear lingering infections and supports the immune system in flushing waste from the tissues. This is a great herb to choose when you feel run down or your system needs a nudge.
- Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale radix)
This bitter root is one of the best liver-supportive herbs around. It encourages bile flow, which helps the body break down and eliminate toxins more effectively. When your liver and lymph are both supported, everything works more smoothly—especially digestion and energy levels.
- Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale folia)
A natural diuretic, the leaf complements the root beautifully. It helps shift excess fluid without depleting potassium, so, helpful for women who may be experiencing puffiness or sluggish kidneys. This may also aid in overall lymphatic clearance.
- Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis)
A gentle but powerful anti-inflammatory and lymphatic cleanser, it is especially beneficial when there is congestion in body tissue. Herbalists use it for skin health, swollen lymph nodes, and to support healing from within. It adds a beautiful, soothing note to the blend.
How I take my capsules
I take my supplements with my breakfast and dinner—it’s part of my routine and as I take quite a few each day (as you’d expect), over time, I’ve found that taking them with food helps me to create a routine I can stick with, and it fits into the rhythm of my day.
Why it helps:
This blend gently supports your lymphatic and detox systems, and it’s especially useful if you’re moving more, doing dry brushing, or feeling that sluggish, puffy feeling after winter. You don’t feel a big “hit”—it just quietly works in the background, helping you feel clearer and lighter over time.
You may be recovering from an injury and benefitting from hands-on treatment from a therapist, in which case Lympherba works well when added to a lymphatic drainage massage.